Cummins Sports exits Cork's North Main St as store goes on the market for €1.2m
After three decades of trading on North Main St, Cummins Sports has shut up shop. The substantial commercial premises is on the market with a guide price of €1.2m or to lease for €100,000pa. The focus going forward will be on Cummins Sports stores in shopping centres and rural towns, as well as its online business. Picture: Larry Cummins
WELL-known family-run Irish sports retailer Cummins Sports has put its flagship Cork city premises on North Main St up for sale with a guide price of €1.2m.
The store is also available for lease, for an annual rent of €100,000 per annum.
The move ends a 30-year relationship with the busy city centre street as the retailer concentrates on its high-performing shopping centre and regional locations, at Douglas Court, Blackpool Shopping Centre, Fermoy and Midleton.
The North Main St store, a landmark presence in the heart of the city’s retail core for almost three decades, is a substantial commercial building, measuring 8,100 sq ft over two floors. It has the bonus of a large yard to the year, accessed via Cornmarket St, with parking for approximately 14 cars.
The store opened in 1996 in an expansion of the company’s city centre presence – its first store opened on Princes St in 1971. The business was co-founded by GAA star and onetime captain of the Cork minor hurling team, Kevin Cummins, who captained the team to All-Ireland victory in 1964. The business has always been closely tied to its GAA heritage – Kevin's brother Ray was one of Cork’s most celebrated dual players, winning multiple All-Ireland titles in hurling and football.
The business, with deep roots in Cork’s sporting life, has been repositioning strategically in recent years, switching focus from Cork city centre to suburban shopping centres and rural towns, as well as investing significantly in expanding its e-commerce platform. It withdrew from No 7 Princes St in 2023 and has now put its North Main St premises up for sale or for lease. The company said the move from North Main Street “represents the next stage in the company’s growth and development”.
It added that:
From its North Main Street base, Cummins Sports consistently led market trends in brands, stock and retail presentation. The location played a central role in building the strength and reputation of the Cummins Sports brand.
The store became synonymous with energy, innovation and leadership in sports retail — renowned for hosting live DJ events during trading hours and creating a dynamic shopping experience.
Joint selling agents Philip Horgan of Cushman & Wakefield and Cearbhall Behan of Behan, Irwin, Gosling said the premises was “a rare opportunity to acquire or lease a substantial commercial premises...in one of the city’s most established and vibrant trading locations”.
Arranged over two floors, the property includes a large open-plan ground floor retail unit of approximately 4,054 sq ft, with strong street presence and impressive ceiling heights of 3.86 m, while the 3,941 sq ft first floor has recently been used for storage and features solid concrete floors, canteen and toilet facilities, and convenient access via a rear stairwell.
The agents said a “standout feature" is the vehicular access from Cornmarket Street, which along with parking, allows direct delivery, “an exceptional advantage for a city centre premises of this scale”. Rates are €21,181pa.
Mr Behan said they expected good interest from both owner occupiers and investors, while Mr Horgan said the open-plan layout and extensive floor-to-ceiling height “will be particularly appealing to retailers”.
North Main St has high foot traffic and serves as a link from North Gate Bridge to Washington St, as well as a thoroughfare to St Patrick’s St.
Adjoining occupiers include The Loft Furniture Store, Mr Price, Eurogiant, Murphy’s Pharmacy and the Vicarstown Inn.
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